Patton's Inc. History

He held this rank until his promotion to full colonel in January 1863.

As September 19, 1864, and the Third Battle of Winchester dawned, Patton again found himself in command of Echols’ brigade.

He entered the Virginia Military Institute in 1903 but transferred to the United States Military Academy at West Point after just one year.

His academic performance improved, and, after graduating in June 1909, Patton was commissioned as a second lieutenant in the cavalry.

In 1912 Patton was selected to represent the United States at the Olympic Games in Stockholm, Sweden.

In that role he designed the United States Model 1913 Enlisted Cavalry Saber, known as the “Patton Sword.” Patton also loved polo, and he played it, like he pursued so many things, with a violent, reckless abandon, frequently injuring himself in the process.

On September 12, 1918, Patton, ignoring orders to stay in radio contact, personally led the first United States tank units into battle during the Saint-Mihiel offensive.

He graduated with distinction from the Army War College in 1932, and he remained a vigorous proponent of tank warfare throughout the interwar years.

On April 4, 1941, he was promoted to temporary major general, and a week later he was made commander of the 2nd Armored Division.

In December 1944 the Germans launched a massive surprise counterattack in the Ardennes Forest, encircling the United States 101st Airborne Division at Bastogne, Belgium.